If you grew up involved with a church, you're probably familiar with the term "spiritual fasting." Some churches participate in an annual spiritual fast such as the Daniel Diet. Others give up ...

The beginning of the year is prime time for thoughtful people to engage in introspection, prayer, and meditation — seeking clarity for the journey ahead. For people of faith, that reflection often ...

Fasting is a time-honored practice observed across various cultures and religions. It involves abstaining from food or other indulgence for a set period. While the physical benefits of fasting are ...

Christians in Hampton Roads and around the world are preparing for the arrival of Lent, which begins Wednesday for Catholics and Protestants, and on March 14 for Orthodox Christians. Lent is observed ...

My first encounter with Christian fasting was in a Russian kitchen in the provincial city of Krasnodar in 1991. It was November and my host, a university professor, was preparing the evening meal at ...

Fasting during Lent represents one of Christianity’s most profound spiritual disciplines, with roots extending deep into biblical traditions. Though not explicitly outlined in scripture, this practice ...

Muslims all over the world participate in the spiritual practice of 30-days of prayer and daily fasts during the holy month of Ramadan, which is one of only two recognized holy days determined by ...

The lack of self restraint so evident in much of modern life leads us first to pleasure seeking and then increasingly to self induced suffering. Millions of people spend billions of dollars on pills, ...

For the majority of Muslims worldwide, the confirmed sighting of a new crescent moon next Tuesday will usher in the holy month of Ramadan. This 1,400-year-old ritual is a reminder to practice ...

Have you ever tried to explain the Catholic regulations on fasting to a Muslim, a Jew or a Hindu? Save yourself the raised eyebrows of incomprehension or the smirk that says, “You’ve got to be kidding ...